Once Upon a River

by Diane Setterfield
Once Upon a River cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Mystery
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Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99
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Technical
  • ID: 3671
  • Added: 2025-10-18
  • Updated: 2026-01-05
  • ISBN: 9780743298087
  • Publisher: Atria/Emily Bestler Books
  • Published: 2019-07-02
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 4

On a dark midwinter's night, an ancient inn on the river Thames becomes the stage for an extraordinary event. A grievously wounded stranger arrives, carrying a lifeless child, who miraculously returns to life hours later. The mystery of the girl's identity and the circumstances surrounding her revival captivate the riverbank community. Three families, each with their own secrets, believe the child belongs to them, leading to a complex web of revelations and heartbreaking truths. The novel weaves together folklore, science, and magic, creating a richly atmospheric and suspenseful narrative that explores the profound questions of identity, belonging, and the mysteries of life itself. Diane Setterfield's Once Upon a River is a tapestry of storytelling that blends the enchanting with the scientific, the mythical with the real. The novel's setting, the river Thames, is as much a character as the people who inhabit its banks, adding a layer of depth and intrigue to the unfolding drama. The author's intricate plotting and vivid prose make this a compelling read that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned.

Reviews
Mike Finn's Fiction · 2021-07-11
beautiful 4.50

The book is praised for its emotional depth and beautiful descriptions, blending ideas and heartfelt moments. The river serves as a central, almost magical element that enhances the storytelling.

This reviewer was deeply moved by the emotional depth and the vivid descriptions of the river, which they felt added a magical quality to the story. They appreciated how the book balances ideas with heartfelt moments, making it a rich and engaging read. The characters and their journeys were particularly compelling, drawing the reviewer into the narrative. Overall, they found the book to be a beautiful and thought-provoking exploration of human connections and the power of storytelling.

Quick quotes

    This is a book filled as much with emotions as ideas.

    There is beauty, not just in the descriptions of the river but in the hearts, imagination

    The river serves as a central, almost magical element that enhances the storytelling.

The People's Friend · Kirsty · 2020-07-02
captivating 4.00

The book is described as a long and twisty read that never feels slow or dull. The reviewer enjoyed the intricate plot and the way the story unfolds.

Kirsty found Once Upon a River to be a captivating read that kept her engaged despite its length. She appreciated the twisty plot and the way the story unfolds, never feeling slow or dull. The characters and their interactions were particularly enjoyable, and she found the overall narrative to be engaging and well-paced. Kirsty's mother, who gifted her the book, also enjoyed it, which added a personal touch to her review.

Quick quotes

    It's a long, twisty read — but it never plods along.

    The characters and their interactions were particularly enjoyable.

    The overall narrative was engaging and well-paced.

Rhapsody in Words · 2020-01-03
excellent 5.00

It's one of the best books ever read, with a unique writing style and thoughtfully developed characters. The story is intriguing and moves at a steady pace.

The reviewer from Rhapsody in Words couldn't heap enough praise on 'Once Upon a River', calling it one of the best books they've ever read. They highlight the unique writing style and the thoughtfully developed characters that make the story intriguing and engaging. The book's blend of folklore and science, magic and myth creates a rich and atmospheric narrative that is both suspenseful and romantic. The reviewer found the story to move at a steady pace, keeping them hooked until the very end.

Quick quotes

    Once Upon a River is actually Setterfield's third novel, and I can honestly say it's one of the best books I've ever read!

    The writing style is unique, and the story intriguing, I couldn't put it down.

    The characters are thoughtfully developed throughout the story which moved at a steady pace.

The Guardian · 2019-01-25
wholesome 3.50

The book is noted for its wholesome portrayal of characters and its bold storytelling. The reviewer appreciates the simplicity and goodness of the primary characters.

This reviewer found Once Upon a River to be a refreshing and wholesome read, with primary characters that are portrayed as good people. They appreciated the bold strokes used to draw these characters and the simplicity of their goodness. The story's blending of folklore and science, along with its rich atmosphere, was also highlighted as a strong point. Overall, the reviewer found the book to be a heartwarming and engaging exploration of human nature.

Quick quotes

    Once Upon a River is a considerably more wholesome affair.

    The primary characters are all good people, drawn in bold strokes without much complexity.

    The story's blending of folklore and science, along with its rich atmosphere, was also highlighted as a strong point.

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